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Sniping at Strasbourg will only hinder reform

With no written constitution, Britain needs the Human Rights Court to protect its citizens

Anthony Lester

December 6 2011, 12:01am, The Times

The Strasbourg court is under constant attack by some sections of the British media and politicians who accuse it of over-reaching its power. But criticisms of the supposed judicial “activism” of the European Court of Human Rights are unfair and politically motivated; they are also dangerous and counter-productive.

The most recent flashpoint has been votes for prisoners. The court ruled in a case brought by John Hirst, a former prisoner, that exclusion of all convicted prisoners in custody from the right to vote was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The fightback against this ruling began in February, when David Davis introduced a Commons debate. The former Tory Shadow Home Secretary supported by Jack Straw, the former Lord Chancellor, accused the court…